Chain adjustment for bicycles



(No Model.).

W. L. DECKER. CHAIN ADJUSTMENT TOR BIGYGLES.

No. 587,710. PatentedAug. 1.0, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. DECKER, OF woRCEsTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. HEAD, OF RUTLAND, VERMONT.

CHAIN ADJUSTMENT FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,710, dated August 10, 1897.

Application filed September 3,1895. Serial No. 561,368. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: and B of the eccentric are held together by Be it known that I, \VILLIAM LLOYD means of ascrewBtwhich passes through the DECKER, a citizen of the United States, residpart B and is screwed into the part B ing atWorcester, in the county of WVorcester C denotes the axle of the rear wheel, pro- 55 5 and State of Massachusetts, have invented a vided near its end with an annular groove or new and useful Improvement in Chain Adneck which is flattened on opposite sides, j ustments for Bicycles, of which the following as at C Fig. 4. is a specification, accompanied by drawings The eccentric B is provided upon one edge forming a part of the same, and in which with a notch B to receive the neck G of the :0 Figure 1 represents a side view of a rear axle, which is held from rotating within the portion of abicycle-frame supporting the rear eccentric B by the Contact of the flattened hub of the machine and showingmy improved sides (1 with the side walls of the notch B device for adjusting the chain. Fig. 2repre- The eccentric B is journaled within the sents a side view of the same parts as shown frame A, and has its lower half inclosed by 15 in Fig. 1, but with the adjustable portion in a Strap D, connected at one end integrally a different position and released from the lockwith the frame A, and having its free end tering-latch. Fig. 3 is a top view, shown in secminating in a lug D with an open space D tional view on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side between the frame A and the lug D to allow view similar to that shown in Fig. 1,but havthe axle to enter and be placed within the 2o ing a portion of the locking-latch removed notch B of the eccentric, as represented in and with the adjustable eccentric shown in Fig. 2, a slight rotation of the eccentric servsectionalview on line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5is a ing to carry the axle over the strap D, as side View of that portion of the framework shown in Figs. 1 and 4, thereby holding the shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 with a part thereof axle within the notch of the eccentric. The 25 shown in sectional view and with the device flanges B of the eccentric are provided With for adjusting the chain removed; and Fig. 6 teeth B, and pivoted to the frame A is a birepresents the locking-latch detached from furcated locking-latch E, provided with teeth the framework. E, adapted to engage the teeth B of the ec- Similar letters refer to Similar parts in the centric and carrying a tightening-screw E 0 different views. provided with a milled head E or, if desired,

The object of my present invention is to having a hole to receive a spanner.

provide means for supporting the rear wheel The latchEis pivoted at its'forked end upon of a bicycle which will permit the wheel to be the frame A, and its opposite end is arrangedv removed from the frame without disconnectto be carried over and inclose the lug D, 35 ing the driving-chain and also to provide thereby bringing the teeth E into engagemeans for the adjustment of the chain withment with the teeth B of the eccentric and out varying the alinement of the wheel and locking the eccentric against rotation. The

also to provide means for supporting the rear latch E is held in its raised position, as shown wheel in the frame without the use of nuts, in Figs. 1 and 4, by screwing the screw F. 0 40 thereby obviating the necessity of employing against the side of the lug D, as represented a wrench in the removal of the wheel or the in Fig. at, thereby pinching the elastic strap adjustment of the chain; and I attain these D against the eccentric.

objects by means of the device hereinafter de- The face of the lug D against which the scribed, and representedin the accompanying point of the tightening-screw E bears is 45 drawings, in which slightly concave, as at D ,Fig. 5, and so shaped A denotes that portion of the framework of that the pressure of the screw against the a bicycle in which the rear wheel is supported face of the lug will tend to draw the free end and in which is journaled an eccentric B, of the locking-latch upward. preferably made in two halves B and B Fig. The eccentric B is provided with a hole B 10b 50 3, each half being provided with a flange B and the portion of the eccentric between the which overlaps the frame A. The halves B hole B and the notch B is cut apart, as at 13 so that the compression of the eccentric by the elastic strap D will serve to press the side walls of the notch against the flattened sides 0 of the axle C.

The construction of the framework, adj usting-eccentric, and locking-latch, as above described, is represented in the accompanying drawings upon one side of the machine only, the device being duplicated upon the opposite side, so the rotation of an eccentric upon one side of the machine will cause a simultaneous rotation upon the opposite side, thereby preserving the true alinement of the rear axle, as both ends of the axle will be simultaneously carried by the eccentrics in which they are supported.

Whenever it is desired to tighten or loosen the driving-chain, by which power is imparted to the rear axle through the sprocket-wheel F, the tightening-screws E are loosened upon each side of the machine, dropping the latches E and releasing the eccentrics B, which are then turned to the right or left, as the case may be, to properly adjust the chain, and the eccentrics are again locked in position by the latches E and screws E WVhen it is desired to remove the rear wheel from the frame, the latches E are dropped and the eccentrics turned to bring the notches B opposite the open space D as represented in Fig. 2, thereby allowing the axle C to be removed.

I am aware that the adjustment of the chain of a bicycle has been efiected by means of an eccentric, and I therefore do not claim such, broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the frame of a velocipede of a pair of eccentrics journaled insaid frame and provided with notches in their edges to receive a wheel-axle, a wheel-axle frame on the opposite side of said opening,

whereby said opening is closed, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the framework of a velocipede of a pair of eccentrics journaled ing communicating with the eccentric-bear- 1ng, and means for compressing said frame on said eccentric, thereby compressing said eccentric and pinching the wheel-axle held therein.

3. The combination with the frame of a velocipede of a pair of eccentrics journaled in said framework and provided with flanges overlapping said frame, and provided with teeth on their edges, said eccentrics having notches in their edges to receive a wheel-axle, a wheel-axle held in said notches, said frame having an opening communicating with the eccentric-bearing, a latch pivoted at one end to said frame, and means for detachably connecting the opposite end of said latch with said frame, whereby said opening'is closed, said latch having teeth adapted to engage the toothed flange of the eccentric, and hold the same from rotation, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the framework of a velocipede, or cycle, of a pair of eccentrics provided with notches in their edges to receive a wheel-axle, a wheel-axle held in said notches, means for retaining said axle in said notches, said framework having an opening communicating with said eccentric-bearing, 1

whereby said axle is removed and means for closing said opening, substantially as described.

Dated this 19th day of August, 1895.

' WILLIAM L. DECKER. \Vitnesses:

RUFUS B. FOWLER, EMMA KESTER. 

